I went out walking to the woods today

Below is the poem entitled I went out walking to the woods today which was written by poet
David
Smalling. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.

I went out walking to the woods today

I went out walking to the woods today
I saw some canvas cities there
And many empty houses along the way
With yards overgrown or bare
And some building still in a heedless way
I met the paradox of man's dismay.
I went out walking to the woods today
To find the road not taken there
But following fire and cloud turned away
To wipe my friend's uncomforted tear
And watch the jays and the magpies play
All around our descending disarray.
I went out walking to the woods today
To escape the cities cold despair
But from earth's predicament could not turn away
The sunlight withered gardens everywhere
And there the road not taken made of clay
God with us amidst sins decay.

Right on, David. Been in the arts - humanities - all my life. Lived in Cincinnati, Denver and visited New Yorik, Boston, Philly on tour. Glad to live in a smaller environment now. I'm an old cogger, but cannot help thinking that values are a way out of hand. Congrats on this selection. Dave

Frost's road seems to be your road by instinct......mine too......urban decadence sprawled everywhere is indeed a paradox......cities are at once the best and worst of man's achievements.......
very clear and powerful picture ......thanks

How sad to see people losing their homes and living in "canvas cities." You thought you could leave the world's troubles behind you by taking this walk, but man's misery was still present. We can't escape it no matter how hard we try, David. I hope you can get your work published one day -- I'll be the first to buy your book. Love, Carolyn